Ray Mickens Named 72nd Parade Grand Marshal
 
EL PASO, Texas (September 22, 2008) - Former NFL standout and El Paso native Ray Mickens will headline as the 2008 Grand Marshal for the 72nd Annual FirstLight Federal Credit Union Sun Bowl Parade.

"I remember growing up going to the Sun Bowl Parade as a tradition and now having the honor to be this year's Grand Marshall is special for me and my family," said Mickens.

Mickens is the 13th sports figure to serve as grand marshal. Others who have shared the honor include Hall of Famers Don Maynard, Lee Treviño and the late Don Haskins.

"The FirstLight Federal Credit Union is a proud sponsor of the Sun Bowl Parade for the fourth year in a row," said FirstLight Federal Credit Union president Karl Murphy. "For us, the theme of the parade, "El Paso Pride," is appropriate for our Grand Marshal. Ray Mickens is a prominent figure in giving back to the El Paso community.  The parade is the largest attended event in El Paso and the Credit Union is proud to be the sponsor of this El Paso tradition and many other events in the communities that we serve."

Drafted in the third round for the New York Jets as a cornerback, Mickens would spend nine seasons on the Jets roster before heading to the Cleveland Browns for one season and then to the New England Patriots for his final year.

Though considered small for an NFL cornerback, the 5-8, 180-pound Mickens made 400 tackles, 92 pass deflections, 11 interceptions, six sacks and forced four fumbles during his 146-game, 11-year NFL career.

Collegiately, Mickens played for Texas A&M and was a sprinter for the track and field team. A two time All-America and All-Southwest Conference selection, Mickens finished with 162 tackles and nine interceptions. Mickens still ranks fourth on Texas A&M's all-time passes defended list. The final game of his collegiate career was spent shutting down Michigan Wolverines' receivers in the Valero Alamo Bowl. Mickens also played in the 1993 and 1994 AT&T Cotton Bowls.

Mickens, 1991 graduate of El Paso Andress High School, earned All-State honors as a running back during his junior and senior seasons. Mickens' senior year included two huge wins when Andress defeated the Midland Lee twice, once during the regular season and once in the playoffs.

Mickens has continued to contribute to the community by establishing the Ray Mickens Champions Fund.

The Ray Mickens Champions Fund is an outreach program for local youth. It sponsors a reading contest where middle school students read and write essays to win one of four an all-expense paid "NFL Weekend" trips to see a Dallas Cowboy game and receive a Ray Mickens Autographed Jersey.

The Ray Mickens Celebrity Weekend is an annual event which brings in current and former NFL and NBA players to support a youth football camp, health fair, youth basketball tournament, and a celebrity golf tournament. It is also sponsored by FirstLight Federal Credit Union.

The 72nd FirstLight Federal Credit Union Sun Bowl Parade is Thursday, Nov. 27 at 10 a.m. The parade runs along Montana Avenue beginning at Ochoa Street and ending at Copia Street. Review Stand tickets for the parade can be purchased at the Sun Bowl Association office. This year's parade theme is "El Paso Pride."